American Football comes to Wembley this Sunday, in NFL Week 8

The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos are in desperate need of a change of fortunes in Sunday's NFL clash at Wembley Stadium. This report provided in full from our friends at BBC Sport.

The 49ers have lost six of their seven games so far this year and their opponents are also in poor form.

Denver lost their fifth game of the season last Sunday, suffering a 59-14 home defeat by the Oakland Raiders.

But 49ers coach Mike Singletary said: "We will make a season of it. I still believe we can go to the play-offs."

Speaking from the 49ers training base in Watford, Singletary added that he believes the trip to London could turn around his team's season.

"For us, it's a nice chance to get away, regroup and rethink. This has come at a great time for us," said Singletary, who is in his second year as head coach.

"It really works to be a bonus for us. It really gives a chance to kind of get away from the hustle and bustle of the NFL, look at maybe some changes we need to make."

This is the fourth NFL regular season game in London, with San Francisco giving up one of their home fixtures to face the Broncos. A crowd of approximately 85,000 is expected at Wembley.

The 49ers have the second-worst record in the NFL, while Denver are bottom of the AFC West and are on a three-game losing streak.

Since starting last season with six consecutive wins, the Broncos have won only four of their last 17 games under coach Josh McDaniels.

Last Sunday's 14-59 loss to the Oakland Raiders led to McDaniels publicly apologising for the performance.

Singletary is also under huge pressure after poor performances have left San Francisco's high pre-season hopes in tatters.

The 49ers will have to do without first-choice quarterback Alex Smith, who had his non-throwing arm in a sling on Monday after being injured in a third-quarter sack in the defeat by Carolina.

Back-up quarterback Troy Smith will take his place and start an NFL fixture for the first time since 2007.

Star tight end Vernon Davisagrees with Singletary and believes that the London contest will allow the 49ers to refocus.

"We have a lot to look forward to. We have Denver here in London - we can't let that loss [to Carolina] get to us. We have to keep our heads up and keen moving forward," Davis said.

"I came here in the summer and met some fans and couldn't believe how knowledgeable they were.

"They couldn't wait for us to get here. I know we are excited to be here and see London."

The Broncos are not due to arrive until Friday afternoon, giving them less time to get accustomed to the city and the surroundings.

"We know this a business trip, but at the same time we have a younger football team, and I wanted our guys to come and get a taste of the culture, and at the same time get a feel for the environment and the weather and the whole nine yards," Singletary said.

Distance runner Mo Farah and sailor Ben Ainslie have been named as honorary captains for Sunday's clash.

Farah, European champion at 5,000m and 10,000m, will wear Denver Broncos colours with triple Olympic champion Ainslie in San Francisco 49ers attire.

The NFL has also revealed that guitarist Jeff Beck will play God Save the Queen and former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams will sing The Star-Spangled Banner before the game begins, with My Chemical Romance completing the line-up of pre-game entertainment.